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Review: ‘The Comics: The Complete Collection’
[[[The Comics: The Complete Collection]]]By Brian Walker
Abrams ComicsArts, 672 pages, $40
Growing up the son of cartoonist Mort Walker, Brian Walker clearly had four-color ink flowing through his veins. Learning at his father’s side, the boy absorbed folklore, myth, and legend; not just about the characters Mort wrote and drew in Hi & Lois or Beetle Bailey, but the creators who preceded his fathers and Brian’s own peers who practiced the craft.
Over the years, Brian used that knowledge to curate museum exhibits around the country and even work with his dad in the short-loved Museum of Cartoon Art. He’s also written extensively about the field, including the noteworthy collections [[[The Comics: Before 1945]]] and[[[The Comics: Since 1945]]]. In April, both volumes will be combined for the mammoth Comics: The Complete Collection.
For those who own the two books already, you won’t need this book. Not a thing has been changed or updated, which is a shame really, since the field has moved further since the second book saw print in 2004. If you don’t have these books, then this edition is for you.
Walker organizes the events by periods of time with an overview that details the evolution of the newspapers that printed the comic strips, the syndicates that grew from the successful strips, the merchandise that flowed from the most popular features and the men and women who executed these daily flights of fancy. Once the overview is done, we move into biographical sketches of the cartoonists, beginning, naturally, with the father of the American comic strip, Richard F. Outcault. After all, it was his Hogan’s Alley, taking advantage of the advent of color printing that gave the world the Yellow Kid, the first recurring newspaper character and a sensation. His success led to not only merchandise but within two years, a collection of strips, which can be argued to be the first graphic novel following the modern definition.
The greats and near greats, the well-known and the forgotten turn up here with a bountiful assortment of sample strips, many reproduced in their original colors. The book’s 9.25” x 12.5” size allows the art to be reproduced at a legible sixe, reminding us what it was like back in our parents’ or grandparents’ days when newspaper comic strip merited a sizeable section, letting the art and color breathe.
Paging through the book, you get to watch the artform mature as the gag-a-days added continuity followed by serials. You’re reminded of Blondie’s fast to protest her family refusing to let her marry Dagwood Bumstead, considered beneath her. You watch the dramatic strip arrive followed in 1929 by the dual arrival of [[[Buck Rogers]]] and [[[Tarzan]]] that in many ways set the stage for comic books.
By 1945, the comic strips had become fixtures not only in America but around the world. The Allies beat the Axis and the soldiers came home and the world seemed a brighter place. A new generation of homegrown characters took their place next to the aging greats. As a new era began, so does Walker open volume two which begins with Milt Caniff. He was the popular and influential so his move from [[[Terry and the Pirates]]] to a new strip, [[[Steve Canyon]]], was a good way to show changes in the field. We rocket through the 1950s through the 1990s before the book screeches to a halt with a profile on Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman who are the geniuses behind the delightful Zits. Our current decade gets half a page, ignoring the explosion of web strips, the shrinking of the strips and their gradual demise. Several of the longest running strips have recently closed shop, such as Brenda Starr filing her last story in January and many of the survivors are showing their age.
While I wish this were repaginated and organized into a single whole rather than two volumes slapped together, the book is a delightful celebration of the comics, their characters, and the creators.
Goodbye STARGATE
After decades, the STARGATE franchise is winding down as SyFy runs the final episodes of STARGATE:UNIVERSE. We get reaction from the cast on how they feel about the shows remaining.Plus, it’s 1987 all over with reboots for Robocop and The Turtles!
Don’t forget – Pop Culture never sleeps (and neither do we). Catch the latest 24/7 on The Point Radio.
Mix March Madness, Round 2: Kindergoth vs. VG Cats!
Round 2 is upon us! That’s right, fight fans… It’s Mix March Madness! Where 64 webcomics come in, but only 1 comes out! Let’s meet the comics that made it to the second round… ready to duke it out, as only webcomics can!
To my left… cute as a button, foul mouthed as a sailor, and fresh from an upset victory over FreakAngels…
And to my right… the feline furies who always 1-ups the competition…
Will pint-sized pugilists and their alien aggressor pummel the guileful gamers with nine lives? Only one way to find out… Vote now!
[poll id=”38″]
Polling closes at 11:59 Eastern Standard Time on Saturday, March 12!
Click here to see all the webcomics and their standing in the tournament!
Mix March Madness, Round 2: xkcd vs. Kawaii Not!
Round 2 is upon us! That’s right, fight fans… It’s Mix March Madness! Where 64 webcomics come in, but only 1 comes out! Let’s meet the comics that made it to the second round… ready to duke it out, as only webcomics can!
To my left… smart as he is crudely drawn, fresh from victory over Least I Could Do…
xkcd!
And to my right… the cutesy-wootsy gum drop with a heart of gold, and a sly smile…
Will the stick figure with masters degree mop the floor with the adorable anthropomorphic foodstuffs? Only one way to find out… Vote now!
[poll id=”37″]
Polling closes at 11:59 Eastern Standard Time on Saturday, March 12!
Click here to see all the webcomics and their standing in the tournament!
Mix March Madness, Round Two: The Gutters vs. Cyanide & Happiness
Round 2 is upon us! That’s right, fight fans… It’s Mix March Madness! Where 64 webcomics come in, but only 1 comes out! Let’s meet the comics that made it to the second round… ready to duke it out, as only webcomics can!
To my left… the comic industry’s red-headed stepchild, with a Bone to pick (get it!?) …
And to my right… the semi-suicidal, always sarcastic stick-figures of San Fernando…
Will the Sohmer-led comic book send-up send the cyanide sycophants slithering away in defeat? Only one way to find out… Vote now!
[poll id=”36″]
Polling closes at 11:59 Eastern Standard Time on Saturday, March 12!
Click here to see all the webcomics and their standing in the tournament!
Mix March Madness, Round Two: Sinfest vs. Penny Arcade!
Round 2 is upon us! That’s right, fight fans… It’s Mix March Madness! Where 64 webcomics come in, but only 1 comes out! Let’s meet the comics that made it to the second round… ready to duke it out, as only webcomics can!
To my left… the sinfully droll savage…
And to my right… Gabe and Tycho, ready to grab and tussle. Better known to you as…
Will Penny Arcade punch those sinful sinners into oblivion? Or will the long standing stalwart of webcomics be toppled? Only one way to find out… Vote now!
[poll id=”35″]
Polling closes at 11:59 Eastern Standard Time on Saturday, March 12!
Click here to see all the webcomics and their standing in the tournament!
Twitter Updates for 2011-03-14
- Mix March Madness Webcomics Tournament: Round 1 voting ends in 1 hour! Last chance! Vote now! http://t.co/OvqOIeL #
- RT @HighMindedMW: @theisb Smallville:Posession::Maury:Paternity #
MOONSTONE MONDAY BRINGS ALL PULP BACK WITH A BANG!
CELEBRATE SAVAGE BEAUTY AND JUNGLE GIRLS AT C2E2 PANEL!!
Moonstone Entertainment, Inc., Captain Action Enterprises, and Runemaster Studios, Inc. have swung into action and adventure with their hot new title, SAVAGE BEAUTY! On the stands now, SAVAGE BEAUTY’s debut issue introduces two heroines who, using a Jungle legend as a symbol, set out to right the wrongs done on so many levels in countries such as Kenya, Uganda, and others!
To celebrate SAVAGE BEAUTY as well as to discuss the Jungle Girl genre in general, a panel is being held at The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo – also known as C2E2. C2E2 brings attention to the hottest and newest items from comics, movies, television, toys, anime, manga and video games. And it is doing just that with the JUNGLE GIRL PANEL!
The Panel will be held on Sunday, March 20 from 2:30 pm – 3:30 in 475b Panelists will include Ed Catto, Captain Action Enterprises and co-creator of SAVAGE BEAUTY, Paul Storrie, writer of Sheena, Lori Gentile Moonstone editor and retailer, and Kirsten Pagacz of Retro-a-Go-Go. The Panel will take on all things jungle- From Pin-up Jungle Girls to the gritty Unknown Soldier – a look at Jungle Comics. This panel explores everything from Sheena, the first super heroine, to today’s newest entry, Savage Beauty!
This Panel has some awesome Jungle swag to give away as well!! This includes-
1. Two Copies of Jim Silke’s new Jungle Girls book from Fleske Publications
2. Autographed copies of Savage Beauty and Limited edition lithographs
3. Vintage Jungle Girl shirts, Key chains etc. supplied by Retro-A-Go-Go!
Catch a train, a plane, a bus, or the nearest elephant and be at the JUNGLE GIRL PANEL at C2E2 to catch more of SAVAGE BEAUTY!!!
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LADY ACTION AT MIDTOWN COMICS TO WELCOME IN SAVAGE BEAUTY AND CAPTAIN ACTION WINTER SPECIAL!
Moonstone Entertainment, Inc. Runemaster Studios, Inc., and Captain Action Enterprises pulled out all the stops on Wednesday, March 16th at New York City’s Midtown Comics on Times Square.
Lady Action, ally to Captain Action and heroine in her own right put an appearance at this top of the line comic venue to welcome the debut of CAPTAIN ACTION WINTER SPECIAL, featuring a team up between the good Captain and the Green Hornet. Lady Action was also on hand to celebrate the debut of a different type of heroine with SAVAGE BEAUTY #1 hitting the stands today! Special thanks to Midtown Comics and to Lady Action for joining everyone at Moonstone in celebrating two of the best heroes today-CAPTAIN ACTION and SAVAGE BEAUTY!
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MOONSTONE FEATURES FEMALE CREATORS & HEROINES IN CHICKS IN CAPES
Moonstone Entertainment, Inc. is excited to announce that CHICKS IN CAPES will be available soon! Chicks in Capes is a fun and provoking collection of ALL NEW prose short stories by a wide range of female authors: including NYT Bestselling authors Nancy Holder, Debbie Viguie, and Jennifer Fallon, along with comic book herstorian Trina Robbins, and a host of other popular fiction and comic book contributors.
All of the stories are about super heroines, many characters created exclusively for this collection, and featuring ALL NEW stories about established characters: Lady Action and Domino Lady. All contributors for the book are female, including the interior illustrator, the cover artists, and the editors!
What will you find within the pages of CHICKS IN CAPES? Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance, Science-fiction…!
Strong female super-heroine characters from all walks of life are included in this stellar anthology: a parking valet, an archeologist, a bike messenger, a nurse, a holocaust survivor and many more. Also new stories featuring Lady Action and Domino Lady are included in this fantastic collection!
CHICKS IN CAPES spotlights not only female characters by female creators, but it casts a new light on the concept of super heroes in general. According to contributor Jennifer Fallon, “I think it’s a timely reminder that superheroes are not just for boys. They come in all shapes and sizes. We should judge our superheroes by their deeds, not their gender. Just like real people.”
CHICKS IN CAPES from Moonstone Entertainment, Inc.! Coming Soon!
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MOONSTONE BRINGS MYSTERY, NOIR, AND COOL BACK
WITH ANGELTOWN COLLECTION!
Moonstone Entertainment, Inc., known for innovative books and comics starring classic as well as original characters, sets the standard once more for the Private Investigator story with its upcoming release of ANGELTOWN: THE NATE HOLLIS INVESTIGATIONS written by Gary Phillips, Interiors by Shawn Martinbrough, Cover by Michael Stribling.
Los Angeles is the birthplace of noir because the brighter the sunshine, the deeper the shadows and the more deadly the mischief that goes on in the dark.
Angeltown: The Nate Hollis Investigations is a hardcover from Moonstone reprinting the Vertigo mini series in glorious black and white — the original critically praised sequential mystery featuring the cool, tough private eye’s frenzied search in the shadows for a pro hoopster wanted for murder in “Baller.”
Anyone who has read his Monk series knows Gary Phillips can write great PI stories. Well as it turns out he is also quite adept at using the comics/ graphic novel medium as well. With Angel Town Phillips has introduced us to a new PI character, Nate Hollis, set in L.A. and ready to kick ass and take names. — Jon Jordan, Crimespree magazine
The brand of noir that encompasses private eye tales is all about style and gritty substance. Phillips tells a hard hitting story with rapid fire dialogue and staccato pacing. Martinbrough adds to the fist to the face this story gives the reader with both stark and subtle imagery. Between them, the original mini series set a new standard for PI Noir.
Slick as spit, big-shouldered Hollis walks the walk and talks the talk in the Angeltown comics, taking on a star-studded scandal that could rip the roof off post-Rodney King L.A.—
Kevin Burton Smith, Mystery Scene
Exclusive to this hardcover, Gary Phillips (Operator 5), raises the bar once more with two original illustrated prose short stories; “Hollywood Killer,” wherein superhero pretenders prowling Hollywood Boulevard for tips are getting bumped off, art by Manoel Magalhães (Vincent Price Presents, Bluewater Comics) and “King Cow,” about cattle, low-riders and babes with Nazi tattoos, art by Alejandro Aragon (28 Days Later, Boom Studios).
Gritty. Sordid. Dark. Hard boiled. And all cast against the canvas of the Land of Broken Dreams. Angeltown: The Nate Hollis Investigations is that and so much more and it’s all coming soon from Moonstone!
MOONSTONE RELEASES, JULY 2011
BUCKAROO BANZAI #1
Story: Earl Mac Rauch/Paul D. Storrie
Art: David Daza
Colors: Patrick Williams
Covers: Paul Gulacy, Bill Wiist
32pgs, color, $3.99
Rated: PG-13
The man, the marvel, the human achievement, is back!
From the cult movie starring Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin, and Jeff Goldblum!
The creators/film makers are telling NEW stories!
Your favorite neurosurgeon/rock star/adventurer returns, along with his Hong Kong Cavaliers, in: TEARS of a CLONE!…where a Death’s Head tank squad lurks in suburbia, talking bouncer-robots attack, expensive love wants to erupt, and Lectroids run with scissors, and then… shotguns! The world may never be the same.
(covers: Gulacy = 80%, Wiist = 20%)
**Retailer incentive: buy 4 or more copies and get one regular edition FREE!
***buy 8 or more and you can purchase one copy of the b/w virgin Gulacy cover for $3.99 retail.
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That Man FLINT #0
Story: Gary Phillips
Art: Kevin Jones
Cover: Mark Maddox
16pgs, color, $1.99
Join (Vertigo) writer Gary Phillip as super spy Derek Flint returns to spin the swinging sixties on its head!
The Cold War is hot and so are the gorgeous mini-skirted women with their
kung fu grip. Inventor, ballet instructor, dolphinologist and seeker of the
third eye, Flint also battles dastardly villains and sultry Russian
assassins. That Man Flint is retro revisionist fare capturing the fun and
excitement of halcyon espionage outings like The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Steranko’s
Nick Fury for today’s audience.
The Cold War is hot and so are the gorgeous mini-skirted women with their
kung fu grip. Inventor, ballet instructor, dolphinologist and seeker of the
third eye, Flint also battles dastardly villains and sultry Russian
assassins. That Man Flint is retro revisionist fare capturing the fun and
excitement of halcyon espionage outings like The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Steranko’s
Nick Fury for today’s audience.
**Retailer incentive: for every 4 copies purchased, get one FREE!!**
OMEGA PARADOX #0
story: Ian Ng
Art: Mark Sparacio
Colors: Abe Melendez
A man who may hold the key to keeping the universe together hides behind a scholarly front. Five unlikely teammates seek him, but can they keep it together long enough to find him and who’s agenda do they follow?
A man who may hold the key to keeping the universe together hides behind a scholarly front. Five unlikely teammates seek him, but can they keep it together long enough to find him and who’s agenda do they follow?
Moonstone introduces a creator-owned effort from Mark (Heroes for Hire/ Jonah Hex)Sparacio and newcomer Ian Ng, ad-free in full color!
16pgs,FC, $1.99
**retailer incentive: if you purchase 4 or more copies, you will receive one FREE Mark Sparacio variant cover edition!**
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THE SPIDER #4
Story: Martin Powell, Gary Phillips
Art: Hannibal King, Jay Piscopo
Cover: Dan Brereton
32pgs, grayscale, $3.50
The Spider faces a monstrous flesh-eating evil that attacks invisibly from the
filthy shadows, leaving doomed New York City in a panic-stricken state of
hysteria and gruesome sudden death. None are immune to the plague of the
Creeping Hell, not even Nita Van Sloan, the Spider’s beloved.
filthy shadows, leaving doomed New York City in a panic-stricken state of
hysteria and gruesome sudden death. None are immune to the plague of the
Creeping Hell, not even Nita Van Sloan, the Spider’s beloved.
PLUS: more Operator 5!
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ZOMBIES vs CHEERLEADERS TPB
(W) Steven L. Frank and the gang
(A) Various
(C) Bill Maus
144pgs, color, $16.95
ISBN:978-1936814-07-7
brand new story exclusive to this trade! Reprinting the first three issues
of ZvC, the Geektacular special with the 3 Geeks and the Flips Out story!
Check out what all the crazy fun is about!
144pgs, color, $16.95
This volume collects the first five issues of the hilarity-packed and thrill-
inducing series, Zombies vs Cheerleaders, including every hot cover
brand new story exclusive to this trade! Reprinting the first three issues
of ZvC, the Geektacular special with the 3 Geeks and the Flips Out story!
Check out what all the crazy fun is about!
144pgs, color, $16.95
WEREWOLVES of Idria GN
Story: John Chadwell
Art: Duncan Long
152pgs, b/w, 7” x 10”, $15.95
ISBN: 978-1-936814-03-9
Widevision graphic novel!
A new breed of werewolf!
Holy warriors, led by a 900-year-old knight who fought beside El Cid, now in a deadly struggle against a motorcycle gang headed by Satan’s ken, hell bent on revenge. The Aceves family is like no other. With patriarch, Roberto Aceves, forever a Spanish knight after being bitten by a werewolf, he and his clan have secretly fought man’s wars for 900 years. Today, near the abandoned mining town of New Idria, they must battle against a demon and his biker gang who want nothing more than to destroy the entire clan.
Moonstone Entertainment, Inc. publishes comics and illustrated fiction designed to “awaken your sense of adventure”, featuring classic and new heroes in thrilling tales of adventure, mystery, and horror. For more than a decade, Moonstone Entertainment, Inc. has created fine and distinct comic books, Graphic Novels and prose…books that are meant to be read. Awaken your sense of adventure at http://www.moonstonebooks.com/
Captain Action Enterprises and Runemaster Studios, Inc. own SAVAGE BEAUTY and any and all related Concepts
Captain Action Enterprises holds rights to CAPTAIN ACTION and any and all related Concepts
March Madness Webcomics Tournament: Round 1 Winners; On To Round 2!
Round 1 of our March Madness Webcomics Tournament ended last night at midnight, and we have the updated brackets showing who moves on to the next round– and who they battle next.
We now move on to Round 2! The next 16 contests will start going up Monday morning, with four each day. Again, voting will end on Saturday at midnight, so we expect some last minute vote getting at C2E2 this weekend– hey, what’s a trip to Chicago without ballot stuffing voting irregularities?
Will Axe Cop beat Dr. McNinja? Will Theater Hopper and Multiplex make it to the next round and go head to head? Only you can tell us!
Thanks to everybody’s who’s voted so far, and we hope you vote in the next rounds!
Good luck to all the competitors!
